Five different scorers as Development Squad impress
Harry Bunn, Jon Stead, Flo Bojaj, Daniel Carr and Ben Holmes scored as Huddersfield Town’s Development Squad impressed against Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic.
Bunn and Stead netted early in the first half with Bojaj, Carr and Holmes adding to the scoreline late in the second, as Town dominated throughout. Bunn and Stead could have added to their individual tallies with Jake Carroll also going close.
Town’s quest to find a right-back for the Development Squad continued at Bower Fold with 18 year-old Australian trialist Jake Adelson given the opportunity. The former Everton youngster had plenty of energy and defended well, but spurned a good opportunity midway through the first half when he shot wide with Harry Bunn well placed.
Elsewhere, Joe Wright replaced Matt Crooks at the centre of defence following his step up for yesterday’s First Team friendly at Sheffield United.
Frankie Bunn’s men started brightly on a cool night in Greater Manchester with midfielder Jordan Sinnott pulling the strings. He was heavily involved in two openings for strikers Bunn and Jon Stead during the opening exchanges, both of which failed to produce a goal.
It wasn’t long before Town opened the scoring though, with the impressive Bunn and Stead linking up to good effect. The strikers played a neat one two on the edge of Celtic’s box with Bunn finishing smartly.
Former Terriers Liam Dickinson and Aidan Chippendale featured for the home team with the latter testing Lloyd Allinson in the 18th minute with a whipped effort. Stalybridge were struggling to cope with Bunn and Stead though, and the Terriers doubled their advantage in the 21st minute.
Bunn’s persistence earned a throw in and from it Stead spun smartly in the box and finished neatly on his left foot.
Town’s strike partnership both hit wide before the interval, but it was Celtic’s Dickinson who had the best chance during the remainder of the half. The tall striker saw a well struck 25 yard free-kick rebound off Allinson’s crossbar.
The home side started the second half well and by the hour mark had enjoyed the better chances of the half. McKenna forced Allinson into a low save before Chippendale failed to connect with a cut back, after Celtic had got in down Town’s right.
It wasn’t all one way though, Town’s Stead could have completed a hat trick. The experienced striker shot wide on his left before seeing Celtic’s onrushing ‘keeper Lewis King block an effort.
Although Town weren’t creating as many chances as the game ticked on, their interplay was excellent. Youngsters Ben Holmes, Ben Atkinson and Sondre Tronstad looked comfortable on the ball with the latter feeding Jake Carroll in the 74th minute, whose driven shot was tipped over.
King’s impressive evening in goal for Celtic turned sour ten minutes from time when he hauled Daniel Carr to the ground. The stopper had earlier saved from Bojaj and Carr, but his foul was reckless. Carr missed the resulting spot kick, but Bojaj was first to react and tapped home into an empty net.
Carr did eventually find the net when he tapped home a minute from time after excellent work from Jake Charles.
Charles’ impressive cameo continued in the final minute when he raced clear and slotted past King; his effort was goalbound but Ben Holmes made sure from no more than a yard out.
Huddersfield Town’s Senior Professional Development Coach Frankie Bunn said:
“We played well throughout and as a unit we pressed them really well; our ball retention and movement of it has also improved.
“Our young backline dealt with what they offered and earned another good clean sheet. The intensity of the work is getting better and as we continue to get fitter we will only improve.”
Town’s team (3-5-2):
Lloyd Allinson; Will Boyle, Joe Wilkinson, Joe Wright; Jake Carroll, Duane Holmes (Jake Charles, 60), Phil Billing (Ben Atkinson, 66), Jordan Sinnott (Ben Holmes, 66), Jake Adelson (trialist) (Sondre Tronstad, 60); Harry Bunn (Daniel Carr, 46), Jon Stead (Flo Bojaj, 64)
Unused substitutes:
Ed Wilczynski
